DOVER — Members of Dover FMBA Local 60 showcased their culinary skills at the annual NJFMBA Cooked and Uncorked Competition, taking home the first-place trophy for Best Dessert. The event, held on Monday, brought together firefighters from across the state to compete in various categories and display their talent on and off the ground.
Dover’s winning dish was a pumpkin spice cheesecake, perfectly paired with a smoked cinnamon old fashioned. The decadent dessert captivated the judges, securing the top spot in its category and earning well-deserved recognition for the team’s culinary expertise.
Cooked and Uncorked is a highly anticipated event hosted by the New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA). Firefighters from across the state compete to craft the best dishes while supporting charitable causes. The competition highlights the camaraderie and skill of New Jersey’s bravest, proving they can handle the heat in more ways than one.
Dover FMBA Local 60’s victory is a testament to their dedication and passion beyond firefighting. Congratulations to the team on this outstanding achievement!
Julianna Pennucci, a physician assistant with Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center’s Community Health and Outreach Department, presents during the Florham Park Rotary meeting at the Florham Park Diner on Friday, February 21. Standing to her left is Rotary Sergeant-at-Arms Peter Nicolas.
FLORHAM PARK — In recognition of American Heart Month, the Florham Park Rotary Club welcomed Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center for “Get Your Heart Into It,” a free community health program held at the Florham Park Diner on Friday, February 21.
Julianna Pennucci, a physician assistant with Cooperman’s Community Health & Outreach Department, led the session and provided valuable insights into cardiovascular disease, medical conditions, and treatment options. Attendees, including Rotarians and members of the public, explored the distinctions between complementary and alternative medicine, the benefits and risks of various vitamins, and strategies for maintaining heart health.
The 30-minute presentation covered critical topics such as hypertension, cholesterol management, the use of blood thinners, thrombosis, and the importance of accurate blood pressure readings. Pennucci highlighted the current recommendation for optimal blood pressure—below 120/80 mmHg for adults of all ages—noting slight variations between men and women.
Emphasizing prevention, Pennucci discussed the impact of hypertension on heart health and stressed the importance of a balanced diet, regular exercise, quality sleep, and smoking cessation as key factors in reducing cardiovascular risk.
A Commitment to Community Health
“The Florham Park Rotary will certainly invite Cooperman Barnabas to return for a future Rotary meeting at the Florham Park Diner,” said Peter Nicolas, Florham Park Rotary sergeant-at-arms. “These informative programs, offered over a free cup of coffee, begin at 8:10 a.m. and conclude by 8:40 a.m., allowing attendees to be back home or at work by 9:00 a.m.”
Organizations interested in hosting a health presentation from Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center can contact Helene DeCapua, Community Coordinator of Community Health & Outreach, at (973) 322-6885 or [email protected].
Rotary’s Role in Community Service
“Our club in Florham Park is one of 40,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, all dedicated to nonpolitical and non-sectarian community service,” said Club President Damion Bernard.
“While our club places a strong emphasis on programs benefiting Florham Park students, we also support broader community initiatives, including adult health education. It’s all about addressing the needs of our community.”
Photo for illustration purposes only. The actual incident may not reflect the photo.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Denville Police Chief Frank Perna confirmed the operator of a massage business on Route 10 has been arrested and charged with promoting prostitution and money laundering.
Investigators determined Soon Y. Bang, a.k.a. “Cindy”, 63, of Fairview, owns Oasis Spa, located at 3108 Route 10 West in Denville. It is alleged that Bang operated an illicit massage business at the Oasis Spa location and received the proceeds that were made as a result of the sex acts performed at the business.
On February 20, 2025, Denville Police, with the assistance of the MCPO and U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, executed a search warrant at the massage business and residence of the manager in Fairview. Evidence that was collected, including a large quantity of U.S. currency, is indicative of prostitution. It is alleged Bang and Yushun Li, 67, of Flushing, New York, engaged in sexual activity in exchange for U.S. currency.
As a result of the investigation, Soon Bang was charged on a summons complaint with Promoting Prostitution, a crime of the third degree, Money Laundering, a crime of the second degree, and Engaging in Prostitution, a disorderly persons offense. Yushun Li was also charged by summons complaint with Engaging in Prostitution, a disorderly persons offense.
Numerous law enforcement agencies have participated in this investigation, including members of the Denville Township Police Department, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Human Trafficking Task Force, United States Secret Service, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Edison Police Department, Morris County Sheriff’s Office, and Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to call the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office at (973) 285-6200 or the Denville Police Department at (973) 627-4900.
Editors Note: The court’s rules require us to include a statement that states: The charges outlined in this publication are merely accusations, and the defendant and/or defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
HANOVER—Hanover Township Fire District 3’s budget and referendum passed for 2025. The budget received 220 ‘yes’ votes and 72 ‘no’ votes, while the referendum received 201 ‘yes’ votes and 87 ‘no’ votes.
Additionally, Thomas Harrington and Robert Gallagher were appointed fire commissioners for three years.
Voters came out on February 15 to vote in person, and all mail-in ballots, postmarked by February 15, were counted.
“Thank you to our community for supporting our fire district and allowing us to provide an exceptional level of care,” said Michael Dugan Sr., Treasurer. “With the budget and referendum approved, we can now address fire truck repairs, expiring safety equipment, staffing needs, and much more.”
This meeting is being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law, N_.J.S.A. 10:4-6.” Notice of the meeting was sent to the Daily Record and Citizen on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and published in the Daily Record on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, and the Citizen on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Notice was also posted on the Bulletin Board of the Municipal Building. These notices were sent within 48 hours before this meeting, and insufficient time for the publications to publish them. A copy of said notice is on file with the Municipal Clerk. It should be noted that an interpreter is present if a resident should need one.
Mayor James Dodd (December 31, 2027)
Claudia P. Toro Council Member – First Ward (December 31, 2025)
Sandra Wittner Council Member – First Ward (December 31, 2026)
Sergio Rodriguez Council Member – Second Ward (December 31, 2025)
Geovani Estacio Council Member – Second Ward (December 31, 2026)
Michael Scarneo Council Member – Third Ward (December 31, 2025)
Veronica Velez Council Member – Third Ward (December 31, 2026)
Marcos Tapia, Sr. Council Member – Fourth Ward (December 31, 2026)
Arturo “A.B.” Santana Council Member – Fourth Ward (December 31, 2025)
Julie Snyder and Sridhar Iyer, newly elected to the Madison Area YMCA Board, share a moment of pride and determination as they step into their leadership roles.
MADISON — Julie Snyder and Sridhar Iyer have been elected to the Madison Area YMCA Board of Directors, a move that underscores the power of community involvement and professional expertise.
Sridhar Iyer, a long-time YMCA member and global strategy and operations leader at Google in New York City, brings a wealth of experience and a deep personal commitment to the organization. His journey with the YMCA began in high school, where he volunteered and participated in various children’s activities. Today, he remains actively involved by supporting programs like summer camp, basketball, and gymnastics, inspiring the next generation through his dedication.
Joining him is Julie Snyder, whose career in the pharmaceutical industry has spanned roles in marketing, market research, forecasting, and data analytics. Known for her strategic insight, Snyder has been a key figure in the YMCA community through her active involvement in aquatics, dance, basketball, and volleyball. Her leadership is further highlighted by her role in the YMCA’s Mariners Parent Organization, where she champions family engagement and community building.
YMCA President & CEO Diane Mann expressed her enthusiasm about the new appointments: “We are thrilled to welcome Julie and Sridhar to our board. Their volunteerism, extensive professional experience, and commitment to our community havestrengthened our work in governance, philanthropy, and strategic oversight as we prepare for the future.”
Snyder and Iyer are set to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the Madison Area YMCA, reinforcing the organization’s mission to nurture community well-being and growth.
Conor Evans, Community Builders founder and managing partner; Dominique Tornabe, Morris Arts director of development and marketing; and Tom Werder, Morris Arts executive director, gathered to mark Community Builders’ new three-year, $60,000 investment in the organization.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morristown-based construction firm Community Builders has committed to a three-year, $60,000 investment in Morris Arts, marking a significant milestone in the nonprofit’s ongoing mission to enrich community life through the arts.
Community Builders’ pledge positions the firm as the founding supporter of Morris Arts’ Corporate Community Champions program—a new initiative designed to ally with corporations and business leaders dedicated to advancing education, health, and well-being through artistic engagement. Under this program, corporate partners will work closely with Dominique Tornabe, the organization’s Director of Development and Marketing, to strategically allocate funds to programs that align with their community-focused mission.
The financial commitment will support a suite of signature events and programs at Morris Arts. Among these is the annual Commercial Real Estate Breakfast, which highlights the intersection of art and commercial development. The event features panels composed of architects, artists, real estate developers, and other experts, serving as a forum for discussing how art can enhance commercial projects and foster vibrant community spaces.
In addition to sustaining the Commercial Real Estate Breakfast, part of the $60,000 pledge will fund the newly introduced Arts in Health Breakfast. This event aims to raise awareness about the health benefits of artistic engagement and will be bolstered by a $6,500 Community Builders Arts in Health Residency Award. This award is earmarked for projects or programs that create nurturing environments to promote health, wellness, and artistic expression throughout Morris County by partnering with local health, wellness, or social services agencies.
Tom Werder, Executive Director of Morris Arts, remarked on the partnership, “Both of our organizations share a focus on community, making us natural partners. Community Builders’ generous support further strengthens our longstanding commitment to quality arts education and community programs.” Conor Evans, Founder and Managing Partner of Community Builders, added, “Community is powerful. Being deeply embedded in our community daily creates a high degree of ownership over our missions. That alignment made supporting Morris Arts an easy choice.”
Founded last year, Community Builders provides construction and facility management services emphasizing creating community-oriented spaces. Its involvement with Morris Arts underscores a broader commitment to investing in local cultural initiatives. As a Corporate Community Partner, the firm will also support Morris Arts’ annual gala, Great Conversations, and the Giralda Music & Arts Festival—an outdoor concert featuring the New Jersey Symphony.
Through this multi-year pledge, Community Builders ensures the continuity of key arts events and reinforces its dedication to building stronger, more vibrant communities through sustained cultural investment.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll, Chief of Detectives Robert McNally, and Roxbury Police Chief Matthew Holland confirmed that Auraceli A. Maldonado, 25, Irvington, has been sentenced for shooting a man at the Roxbury Motel on October 18, 2023, during an armed robbery. Co-defendant Jean Omar Rockson, 34, Orange, previously entered a guilty plea concerning the incident and is awaiting sentencing.
On January 21, 2025, Maldonado pled guilty to one count of first-degree Robbery and one count of second-degree Aggravated Assault. On February 21, the Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. imposed an aggregate sentence of twelve years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act (NERA) and Graves Act.
At approximately 8:54 p.m. on October 18, 2023, authorities were notified that a man had been shot at the Roxbury Motel on Route 46. Roxbury Police officers arrived on scene, located a male victim with a gunshot wound to the leg, and provided lifesaving medical aid. The 36-year-old victim was transported to a medical center with severe but not life-threatening injuries. Doctors amputated the victim’s leg above the knee on October 25, the complaint said.
Subsequent investigation revealed the victim had planned to meet with an unknown suspect at the motel. On the incident date, surveillance video captured a Honda Accord with a New York registration arriving at the motel parking lot. A man and a woman were seen exiting the vehicle. Two individuals – later identified as Auraceli A. Maldonado and Jean Omar Rockson – met with the victim inside a hotel room and robbed him. Maldonado was armed with an assault-style rifle during the interaction and shot the victim in the leg during a struggle for the firearm. She and Rockson fled the scene after the shooting.
Maldonado was subsequently located and detained in Middleburg, Florida, on November 2, 2023. Co-defendant Rockson was arrested outside his Orange residence on February 15, 2024.
Rockson entered a guilty plea to first-degree Robbery on October 8, 2024, before the Honorable Ralph E. Amirata, J.S.C. A sentencing date is pending. Rockson is currently on home detention subject to Pretrial Monitoring Level 3+ and is to have no contact with the victim.
Prosecutor Carroll commends the efforts of the Roxbury Police Department, the Orange Police Department, the Morris County Sheriff’s Office—Crime Scene Investigation Unit, and the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit in this investigation and prosecution.
HANOVER — The Calais School, a state-approved private special education school in Whippany, is celebrating the retirement of Star, a cherished therapy dog who has provided unwavering support to students for the past four years. The Black Labrador Retriever has been an integral part of the school’s award-winning therapy dog program, impacting students’ emotional, behavioral, and academic growth.
Star joined The Calais School therapy dog team alongside her handler, Lori Kertesz, after undergoing rigorous training. Both were prepared to navigate the unique clinical and emotional challenges of a school environment, utilizing The Calais Method—a proprietary approach that seamlessly integrates therapy dogs into student development programs.
Throughout her time at Calais, Star played a key role in various sessions, including occupational, speech, and physical therapy and reading remediation through the BARK (Be A Reading Kid) program. She also participated in counseling services and greeted students each morning and afternoon. Tiffany Shevchik, the school’s Animal-Assisted Interventions Coordinator, praised Star’s contributions:
“Star’s gentle presence and ability to engage in therapy sessions provided students with immense academic, emotional, and social benefits.”
Beyond her structured sessions, Star’s calming presence helped ease anxiety, improve motivation, and foster stronger peer relationships. Working alongside therapists, counselors, and educators, she empowered students to overcome personal challenges and build self-esteem.
As Star embarks on her well-earned retirement, the Calais School community reflects on the profound difference she has made. Though she will be missed, her legacy of compassion and care will continue to inspire the school’s therapy dog program for years.
About The Calais School
The Calais School is a nonprofit, state-approved private provider of special education for students in grades K through 12 Plus. The school specializes in supporting students with learning disabilities, anxiety, mood, behavioral, and autism spectrum disorders. To learn more, visit www.thecalaisschool.org.
sm. Christian Barranco, Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi and State Sen. Anthony M. Bucco. (photo credit: Dominick Sabol, Morristown American Legion Post 59 Vice Commander.)
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s infrastructure and transportation priorities were the focus of a panel discussion this week featuring county Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw and Assemblyman Christian Barranco at a Government Affairs Forum hosted by the Morris County Chamber of Commerce at Tilcon’s corporate office in Parsippany.
The event, part of the Morris County Chamber’s monthly Public Policy Series, examined infrastructure investment, long-term transportation planning, and public safety improvements, highlighting how the county and state collaborate with municipalities and the federal government to advance these initiatives. Deputy Director Shaw, Morris County’s representative to the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), outlined the county’s infrastructure responsibilities and the NJTPA’s role in funding local projects. Asm. Barranco, a member of the state Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee, discussed state-level initiatives and shared his perspective on proposals put forth by the governor.
Asm. Christian Barranco, Commissioner Deputy Director Stephen Shaw, and Chamber Committee Co-Chairs Sal Anderton.
“The county oversees 287 miles of roads spanning 39 municipalities, 1,000 bridges and culverts, and three freight railroads, in addition to other infrastructure assets. Each year, we resurface about ten percent of our roadway network, replace critical bridges and culverts, and improve intersections while facing rising costs and stagnant state funding. Our paving costs, for example, have nearly doubled since I began serving as a commissioner in 2019,” said Deputy Director Shaw.
The county’s 2025 Capital Spending Plan allocates $11 million for road resurfacing in 11 municipalities, bringing to more than 230 miles of roads resurfaced since 2016. An additional $8.58 million is designated for bridge and culvert replacements, including major spans in Montville, Mount Olive, and Jefferson Township. Other planned improvements include intersection upgrades in East Hanover and Boonton and countywide guide rail enhancements, for which $2.56 million has been budgeted.
The NJTPA, the federally authorized Metropolitan Planning Organization for North Jersey serving 7 million people in 13 northern counties, is crucial in supporting Morris County’s infrastructure projects. With an annual budget exceeding $3 billion, it funds planning, safety, and transportation improvements through its Transportation Improvement Program.
The NJTPA has also contributed to expanding the Morris Canal Greenway, enhancing trail networks, and funding the Pompton Valley Rail Trail, which is set to open this spring.
“The NJTPA is a key partner in securing federal funding for Morris County’s infrastructure. Through this partnership, we have advanced projects like replacing critical bridges in Rockaway, Morristown, Florham Park, and Long Hill Township, as well as freight rail improvements to enhance safety in Dover and Roxbury,” said Deputy Director Shaw.
The discussion also highlighted the Local Safety Action Plan (LSAP), which positions Morris County to compete for more than $5 billion in federal funding for high-risk intersections and roadway safety improvements. Asm. Barranco, who supports the Target Zero Law approved last month to “eliminate” traffic fatalities, acknowledged the challenges in achieving that goal.
“While the Target Zero initiative sets an ambitious goal, the reality is that bad drivers and other factors will always pose risks. I strongly support programs like the LSAP, which take a practical, data-driven approach to making our roads safer,” Asm. Barranco said.
The LSAP is expected to be completed by June 2025, and a public meeting to gather community feedback is scheduled for April 2025.
Morris County is also collaborating with NJTPA on its Long-Range Transportation Plan, “Connecting Communities,” which anticipates significant regional growth by 2050. The plan prioritizes modernization, AI-driven traffic management, and smart infrastructure solutions.
Public input is encouraged through an online survey at njtpa.org/connecting, with virtual outreach events set for March 3 and 25.
The Chamber’s Government Affairs Forum was moderated by Chamber Committee Co-Chairs Sal Anderton and Rosalie Serapiglia and hosted in partnership with New Jersey Business and Industry Association Employer Legislative Committee Chair Alan Zakin. Meghan Hunscher, Morris County Chamber of Commerce President, welcomed all guests at the top of the meeting. Attendees included Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi and State Sen. Anthony Bucco, who provided updates on efforts to address sinkholes on Route 80 in Wharton.
Following the discussion, attendees were invited to present questions to the panel participants.
